Sorry for the length of this post, but I wanted to share our journey so far!!
I posted at the very beginning of my husband's journey with prostate cancer. A lot has happened since then, as is posted in my signature. His urologist, after the first biopsy, suggested immediately that we go to the Mayo Clinic and see Dr. Karnes. We went out and during the cystoscopy Dr. Karnes was concerned about
the tumor in his bladder and wanted to do a TURBT (I think those are the correct initials) immediately. Due to the fact that Tim is on a blood thinner we had to wait for a few more weeks for the procedure. Out to Mayo we traveled again for the TURBT and an MRI. The tumor turned out to be prostate cancer that had spread to the bladder and they found it necessary to put a stent in his ureter. He has had quite a lot of spasms from the stent. After a back and forth discussion with Mayo it was decided the stent must stay in until we go back out the beginning of September. Needless to say he wasn't thrilled with that decision. He has some ditropan left and has taken them occasionally when the pain is bad. The MRI of the abdomen and pelvis that was done showed that his tumors are shrinking as is his prostate and the amount of multiple lymphadenopathy is also decreasing. (hope that makes sense!!) It also showed no skeletal mets in that area. His first bone scan done early in his testing showed no mets either, so we are very thankful for that!!
So now we wait for the appointment at the beginning of September, back at Mayo, where another cystoscopy and MRI will be done. Hopefully they will remove the stent at that time!!(I know his fingers are crossed for that!!) If the tumors continue to shrink, surgery will be discussed at that time or whatever else they might decide.
We are thankful that the casodex and lupron (he is also on tamsulosin) seem to be working for him. To have his PSA drop from 89 to 2.5 in 3 months is a good sign, isn't it? I know it hasn't gotten down to undetectable yet, but the drop seems to be positive. He tires easily. Can that be the hormone therapy?
I would just like to say thank you for educating me about
this disease and I have learned so much from all of you. Even though I haven't posted a lot I "lurk" and share your joys and your trials and tribulations. I have learned that attitude plays such a big role for everyone involved in this nasty disease. Please feel free to add any questions, comments, suggestions, etc. that you may have. Thanks again for your kindness and care!!
Post Edited (MustangSally52) : 8/7/2014 4:25:10 PM (GMT-6)